Dog food for puppies
Puppy food is formulated with more calories, protein and specific minerals than an adult recipe, to support a growing body rather than simply maintaining one. Feeding an adult food to a puppy, or the reverse, is one of the more common feeding mistakes owners make without realising the recipes are built for different jobs, not just different life stages on a label.
What actually changes in a puppy recipe
Puppy food generally carries more protein and fat than an adult recipe, because growth demands more energy and building material than maintaining an already-grown body. It also tends to be balanced with growth-specific mineral levels, particularly calcium and phosphorus, which matter more during the period bones are actively developing.
Kibble size and texture often differ too, particularly in recipes aimed at smaller breeds, where a puppy's mouth is proportionally smaller than an adult dog's of the same eventual size. Wet, dry and mixed-feeding puppy foods are all available, and the choice between them is mostly about what your puppy takes to and what fits your routine.
Large breed vs small breed puppies
Large-breed puppy recipes are typically formulated with growth rates and calcium levels suited to a bigger eventual size, because growing too fast is a genuine consideration for large breeds specifically, tied to joint development. If you have a breed expected to grow large, a large-breed-specific puppy food is worth choosing over a generic one.
Smaller breeds mature faster and reach adult size sooner, so the puppy-to-adult transition tends to happen earlier for them than for a large breed still growing well past a year old. Check what a specific brand recommends for your puppy's expected adult size rather than assuming one puppy food timeline fits every breed.
Feeding practically
Puppies typically eat more meals a day than adult dogs, tapering down as they mature — follow the guidance on the pack for your puppy's age and weight, and adjust gradually as they grow rather than sticking rigidly to a chart if your puppy's actual weight gain looks different.
Switch from puppy to adult food gradually once your vet or the food's own guidance suggests your puppy is ready, mixing the new food in over about a week rather than changing overnight. Ask your vet if you are unsure when that point is for your particular breed and size.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
Harringtons Adult Dog Salmon & Potato
Complete salmon and potato dry dog food with 21% protein in a 1.7KG bag
£6.25
Lily's Kitchen Dog Lean Machine
Lily's Kitchen's lowest-calorie wet recipe for adult dogs, in a 150G foil
£1.69
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Burns Puppy Junior Original Chicken Rice
A complete puppy and junior food with dried chicken 31% and controlled fat at 15%
From£14.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Common questions
- When should I switch my puppy to adult food?
- This depends on your puppy's expected adult size — smaller breeds typically transition earlier, often from around nine to twelve months, while large breeds may stay on puppy food well past a year. Check the specific food's guidance for your breed, or ask your vet if you are unsure.
- Can puppies eat regular adult dog food?
- It is not recommended, since adult food is not formulated with the higher protein, calories and growth-specific mineral levels a puppy needs. A puppy fed adult food long-term may not get what they need to grow properly, so stick to a food formulated for their current life stage.
- Why do large breed puppies need a different food?
- Large-breed puppy recipes are formulated with growth rates and calcium levels suited to a bigger eventual size, because growing too quickly is a genuine consideration for large breeds tied to joint development. A generic puppy food is not built around that same consideration.
- How many times a day should I feed my puppy?
- Most puppies eat more frequently than adult dogs, often three to four times a day when very young, tapering down as they grow. Follow the specific food's guidance for your puppy's age and weight, and adjust gradually if their actual growth looks different from the chart.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.